Valmont already knew exactly who was standing behind him.
Strangely enough, his hands began to tremble, and a sudden wave of stifling frustration washed over him. From the head of the Dark Hand to a city bus driver, the bitterness he felt was unspeakable.
And the culprit behind it all was the man standing right behind him.
Shendu!
If he had never met this demon, Valmont's own intellect and ruthlessness would have been more than enough to ensure a life of luxury and leisure. Looks, style, charisma, talent... Valmont lacked nothing! Even Section 13, that massive organization, had been driven to its wits' end by the Dark Hand more times than he could count.
He had never been this unlucky in his entire life.
Valmont ignored him and kept driving. He stole a glance at the rearview mirror; Shendu had taken human form and was leaning back with an air of casual indifference. Dressed in a sharp suit and leather shoes, the demon had his feet propped up on the back of the seat in front of him.
He looked effortless. He looked... like Valmont used to look.
"Weren't you sealed away? How are you back from the dead again?" Valmont asked.
Shendu spread his hands and grinned. "Valmont, do you have an elder brother?"
The sudden question caught Valmont off guard. He couldn't see the connection between the two subjects. "No," Valmont replied shortly.
As he spoke, the bus hit a speed bump, causing a sharp jolt.
Shendu chuckled. "Watch the road, driver…"
Valmont's jaw tightened. He realized Shendu had changed. A surge of resentment rose in his chest, but it dissipated just as quickly. He couldn't beat Shendu. Even when the demon was a mere spirit, he had dominated Valmont until he didn't know whether he was coming or going. Experience had proven that even if Shendu had no magic at all, he was still a master at manipulating him.
Shendu seemed completely oblivious to the emotional damage his words were inflicting. He simply shrugged and continued the conversation. "Then that is a pity. No wonder you've fallen so far."
A look of smug satisfaction crossed the demon's face; he was clearly in a magnificent mood.
"So? Are you here just to mock me, Shendu?" Valmont took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay rational.
"Of course not." Shendu clasped his hands, his gaze drifting down toward Valmont's back. "I am here to help you, Valmont," he said calmly.
With his sole nemesis, Lü Dongbin, personally delivered to the Netherworld, there was nothing left in this world to stop him. Every movement Shendu made radiated an unhurried composure.
"Help?" Valmont nearly snapped. "You should worry about yourself. Jackie Chan is bound to find out you've been resurrected."
"And?" Shendu's lips curled upward.
"My advice is to get off this bus immediately. Don't bring your trouble to me," Valmont said.
"Jackie Chan? He is no match for me."
"Shendu!" Valmont's voice rose an octave. "Your words have zero credibility with me. I won't believe another word you say. Not a single one!"
Valmont vented his rage in a heated monologue, his eyes turning red as he stared through the windshield. This guy was acting like a noble savior coming to rescue him from the depths of misery. But where did that misery come from in the first place? Valmont knew the answer all too well.
Every single time he had collaborated with this demon, it had ended in total failure. He only wanted money, but not only did he fail to get rich, his savings dwindled, and his status plummeted. And now, he was driving a bus! He never dreamed he would ever be this destitute.
He slammed his fist against the steering wheel, the sharp, jarring blast of the horn expressing the fury in his heart.
Suddenly, a heavy, powerful arm draped itself over his shoulder.
Shendu?
Valmont froze. When did he get there? There hadn't been a single footstep. He looked in the rearview mirror; Shendu had seemingly anticipated the move, catching his eye in the reflection and offering a small smile.
Valmont quickly looked away. He had almost forgotten, Shendu was a demon.
"It seems you have quite a few grievances, Valmont, daring to speak to me in such a tone," Shendu said leisurely, his hand giving Valmont's shoulder a firm squeeze.
"No, I don't dare. This is the rock bottom of my life, don't you see? I'm exhausted. I don't want to build an empire anymore. I just want to drive my bus." Valmont lowered his head, the picture of a broken man. He looked haggard and defeated, like a stray dog on the side of the road.
"It seems you truly don't trust me, Valmont."
"It's common knowledge that you don't keep your word," Valmont retorted instinctively.
Shendu reached down and straightened Valmont's bus driver uniform, patting it with the air of a superior. He asked, "Valmont, what does Shendu's (聖主) lack of credit have to do with me?"
Valmont blinked. "Aren't you Shendu (聖主)?" He was thoroughly confused.
"I am Shendu (神都), Valmont. 'Shendu' (聖主) is a thing of the past, though you may continue to call me that if you wish."
"Shendu (神都)..." Valmont muttered the name to himself.
"I have returned to rule this world once more. Do you remember what I told you?"
"Which time?"
"Open the Demon Portals, and you shall have all the wealth you can imagine," Shendu repeated.
A spark of hope flickered in the depths of Valmont's heart. He whispered, "I thought you were lying to me..."
"Even the mightiest ruler needs subordinates. You are a capable man; driving a bus does not suit you," Shendu said smoothly.
"Then... what does suit me?" A trace of bewilderment flashed in Valmont's eyes. His spirit had been so thoroughly crushed that he found himself dazed.
"Ask yourself. What is your heart's desire?"
"My desire... I want to lie on the top floor of a skyscraper and count endless stacks of cash," Valmont said with sudden certainty.
"Very well." Shendu nodded with satisfaction. "Stop the bus at the next corner."
Valmont found he couldn't refuse. He slammed on the brakes, pulling up in front of a large building. He looked out; it was a bank.
"What are you going to do?" he asked tentatively.
"It seems you've forgotten your original trade," Shendu smiled. "But no matter. I will help you remember."
He reached out and hauled Valmont straight off the bus, setting him down in front of the bank entrance. In an instant, Valmont felt a surge of raw power coursing through his body, as if he possessed the strength of all Twelve Talismans at once. His eyes widened in disbelief.
"Do I really need to teach you what comes next?" Shendu's tone was subtle.
Valmont stared at his hands, stunned. He looked at Shendu's half-smiling face, feeling as though he were in a dream. Shendu... was helping him? Was he asleep?
"What you are feeling now is exactly what I felt, Valmont," Shendu said.
"What do you mean...?" Valmont asked, perplexed.
Shendu spread his arms with a helpless sigh. "And that, Valmont, is exactly why a man without a brother could never understand."
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